2010 Maserati GranCabrio Specifications Base Price: [ around $150,000]
THE NEW MASERATI GRANCABRIO TO PREMIERE IN FRANKFURT Media Source: Maserati
The Maserati GranCabrio, the first four-seater convertible in the Trident carmaker's history, will make its world wide debut on September 15 at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The introduction of the GranCabrio – the Trident's third prong – completes Maserati's product line-up that now consists of three different families of models: Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio.
The GranCabrio represents the very essence of Maserati in terms of open-top cars. It's a Maserati in the purest sense of the word: from the unmistakable style by Pininfarina to the spacious interior, from the craftsmanship of each detail to the driving pleasure and performance. The Maserati GranCabrio enriches all five senses in a shared open-air experience, without sacrificing comfort and performance. A dream car designed and built for men and women who love to live life in an understated – though sophisticated – manner. Like all the made in Maserati open-top convertibles: special cars aimed at refined connoisseurs.
In fact the GranCabrio is continuing the Maserati tradition in open-top cars, joining models that have played such an important part in the Modena carmaker's history such as the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder, 1960 3500GT Vignale Spyder, 1964 Mistral Spyder, 1968 Ghibli Spyder and 2001 Spyder designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the car that marked Maserati's return to the United States. In the footsteps of tradition, the GranCabrio opens a new chapter, because never before have four-seater top-down models ever been produced at the Viale Ciro Menotti Maserati factory. Four proper seats, so that the rear passengers are not merely supporting actors, but co-stars of the journey.
The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 litre V8, 323 kW engine and is the convertible with the longest wheelbase on the market. The GranCabrio's roof is strictly canvas-made, emphasizing the link with the Maserati tradition.
The Maserati GranCabrio will be marketed starting next winter, and experienced by customers the world over from the following spring.
Mazda Builds First RX-8 Hydrogen RE for Norway Source: Mazda Motor Corporation
HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has built the first Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle with Norwegian specifications, developed specifically for participation in HyNor, Norway’s national hydrogen project. The first unit will take part in ceremonies marking the official opening of HyNor’s hydrogen filling stations. The initial opening ceremony will be held in Oslo on May 11, 2009. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE will then undergo certification to meet local standards and will be used for maintenance staff training. Mazda plans to commence leasing of Norwegian specification RX-8 Hydrogen RE models in Norway in summer 2009.
Unlike the RX-8 Hydrogen RE currently being leased in Japan, the HyNor-specification Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE is based on the latest European-specification Mazda RX-8 with left-hand drive and a manual transmission.
The HyNor project aims to enable hydrogen vehicles to travel along a 580-kilometer stretch of highway by establishing a chain of hydrogen stations between Stavanger and Oslo in Norway. Mazda agreed to collaborate with HyNor on the project in November 2007 and began validation of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE’s driving performance on Norwegian public roads in October 2008.
History of Mazda’s hydrogen vehicle development
1991 Developed first hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X 1992 Conducted test drive of golf cart equipped with fuel cell 1993 Developed second hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X2 Developed MX-5 test vehicle equipped with hydrogen rotary engine 1995 Conducted Japan’s first public road tests of a hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, Capella Cargo 1997 Developed Demio FC-EV 2001 Developed Premacy FC-EV, conducted first public road test in Japan 2003 Announced RX-8 Hydrogen RE prototype 2004 Received MLIT approval for public road testing of RX-8 Hydrogen RE 2006 Started commercial leasing of RX-8 Hydrogen RE in Japan (eight models have been delivered to date) 2007 Signed agreement to provide RX-8 Hydrogen REs to Hynor, a Norwegian national project 2008 Commenced public road tests in Norway with RX-8 Hydrogen RE validation vehicle 2009 Commenced commercial leasing of Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid in Japan Produced the first Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE with Norwegian specifications
2011 McLaren MP4-12C Specifications Base Price: [265K]
Source: McLaren Automotive
• The first in a range of high performance sports cars from the home of the world's most successful racing car company
• McLaren MP4-12C set to re-write the rules of sports car design through Formula 1-inspired engineering, revolutionary chassis architecture, and absolute focus on efficiency
• Legendary McLaren F1 inspires concept; 21st century demands drive McLaren MP4-12C execution
• McLaren MP4-12C represents 'pure McLaren'; from unique engineering to bespoke design where everything is for a reason The McLaren MP4-12C is revealed as the first in a range of high-performance sports cars from McLaren Automotive, the independent car division based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. The 12C, and future models within the range, will challenge the world's best sports cars, benefiting from the expertise and virtuosity of the McLaren Group. Twenty years of sports car design, engineering and production combined with inspirational success in Formula 1 have driven Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Chairman, to announce his plans for the ultimate line-up of technology-led and customer-focused performance cars for the 21st century. The rules in the sports car world are about to be re-written. All the parts of the McLaren MP4-12C are bespoke and unique to this car. Everything from the engine right down to the tailor-made switches and buttons is pure McLaren: nothing has come from another manufacturer's parts bin. The 12C is powered by a bespoke McLaren 'M838T' 3.8 litre, V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 600bhp, driving through a McLaren seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox (SSG). It is targeting not only new standards for power and performance in its sector, but also class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions; supported by McLaren's experience of active aerodynamics to aid cooling, grip, handling and road holding. The McLaren MP4-12C is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.8 litre 90_ V8 engine – the 'M838T'. This marks the start of a new era in 'core' segment sports cars – smaller capacity, lighter weight, higher efficiency and more economical power units. The engine has the highest specific power output in its segment which, when allied to its low weight carbon composite chassis, delivers exemplary power- and torque-to-weight ratios. 'M838T' is a unique McLaren power unit, developed specifically for the 12C. It is compact, lightweight, very stiff, and offers an uncompromising combination of very high performance and good driveability, with excellent economy and CO2 emission values. Taking power and emissions in combination (measured by its horsepower to CO2 ratio), the 12C delivers its power at greater efficiency than any other car on the market with an internal combustion engine, including hybrids. 'M838T' features dual variable valve timing and produces around 600bhp and 600Nm of torque. A dry sump and flat plane crankshaft allow the engine to be placed extremely low in the chassis thereby lowering the centre of gravity and improving handling responses. It also features composite cam covers and intake manifolds, which reduce weight and heat transmission into the charge air, as well as Nikasil-coated aluminium liners for further weight reduction. The McLaren engine revs to 8,500rpm, has quick transient throttle response and delivers its abundant torque throughout the rev range. A staggering 80 per cent of torque is available at below 2,000rpm, ensuring great driveability and no need to floor the throttle to deliver performance.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Specifications
50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept Design and technology come together to celebrate Corvette’s past, present and future Source: General Motors
DETROIT – Chevrolet delivers a futuristic vision of technology and design with the 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept. A version of the model was first shown at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show and stars as “Sideswipe” in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The Corvette Stingray Concept represents both the iconic legacy and an exciting future for Corvette.
The Corvette Stingray Concept was developed as an internal design challenge to combine classic Corvette cues with surprisingly high-tech features, modern materials, and a striking new appearance. The car is well-appointed with a clamshell hood, scissor-style doors, ergonomic seats, rear-view camera with night vision enhancement, and a high performance hybrid drive. Interactive touch controls allow the driver to customize the power and efficiency of his or her ride and share it with friends via the in-car camera system and advanced telemetrics.
Performance Tuned 2010 Chevy Camaros Start Roaring In
The hot new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro pony car has just left the assembly lines with the hope of injecting some adreneline into vacant Chevrolet showrooms. Though the waiting list for delivery on a new Camaro is still wet, this hasn't stopped the American car tuning aftermarket from releasing a press barrage of new Chevy Camaro tuned models.
Chevrolet has no plans at present time to revive the Camaro Z28 moniker, leaving a void for those pony car buyers who want a little more than even the loaded Camaro SS has to offer.
From LS9-powered Hennessey monster Camaros to more mundane and affordable tuning programs, the 2010 Camaro's competent RWD architecture has not been lost on the aftermarket community. Expect to start seeing hotted-up Camaros on the streets soon. Here is an overview of some of the more noteworthy 2010 Chevy Camaro tuning programs.
BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept Specifications
In its design, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics differs from the usual low-emission car concepts. Measuring 48.8" in height and boasting a sweeping, arch-like roofline, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics offers the slender silhouette of a classic Gran Turismo.Measuring 181.1" in length, 74.8" in width and 48.8" in height . The tires measure 195/55, while large 21-inch wheels provide a contact surface on the road otherwise offered only by a much wider tire. Acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h, for example, comes in just 4.8 seconds and the car could exceed its electronically-limited 155 mph top speed. In addition to electrical energy storage, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics comes with a conventional fuel tank at the rear end of the central chassis tunnel, offering a capacity of 6.6 gallons. Running on diesel fuel alone, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is able to cover a distance of approximately 400 miles with its combustion engine. Benefitting from an extra range of up to 31 miles in the all-electric mode, the car offers an overall range of approximately 431 miles. Lithium-polymer battery for electrical energy. Overall, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics comes with a total of 98 lithium-polymer cells, each offering a capacity of 30 amp/hours and developing continuous output of 600 Amps at a voltage of 3.7 V. For a period of 30 seconds, each cell is even able to develop maximum output of 1,200 Amps. This engine, a hybrid synchronous motor, offers continuous output of 80 horsepower and peak torque of 162 lb-ft. Extra power of 112 horsepower is available for a period of up to 30 seconds, and, for a 10-second “burst,” the electric motor is able to develop 139 horsepower. The power is transmitted through a 2-stage, single-speed reduction gearbox. The powertrain provides a top speed limited electronically to 155 mph, with acceleration to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 3.76 liters/100 kilometers, equal to 62.6 mpg, and the CO2 emission rating is 99 grams per kilometer.
2009 Scion iQ concept SpecificationsBody Wheelbase 78.7 Chassis Wheels Five:AD S6:F custom wheels with nickel finish prototyped by MetalFX 18x8.5 ET03 Front Suspension TEIN Super Street coilover suspension Drivetrain Layout Front wheel drive Engine Type: 1.3-liter, four-cylinder, VVT-i Engine & Transmission Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 89 lb.-ft. Exterior Tires F-R Yokohama S.drive 2.5/40R18 Body Type Five Axis widebody conversion Burnt nickel accents Custom accented headlights and taillights Length 126.9 Width 71.4 without side mirrors 79.3 including side mirrors Height 56.9 without antenna 62.5 including antenna
